Olympic Medalist Accuses British Pol of Demonizing Running

The bronze medalist at 10,000 meters in the 1976 Olympics is none too pleased with a British minister's proposal to use running laps as a form of punishment in schools.

As The Journal reports, Brendan Foster (left) says that Education Secretary Michael Gove's inclusion of running laps on a list of disciplinary measures is "demonizing." Gove has said he'd like to see a return to what he calls traditional forms of school discipline. This week he issued new guidelines for punishments teachers might impose. Running laps was listed along with weeding school grounds, reporting to school early, and cleaning school grounds.

Foster, who was a European and Commonwealth Games champion and once held the world record for two miles, said, "This is an absolute disgrace and a real step backwards in terms of education and health. We have spent years telling people that running is actually an enjoyable, rewarding and beneficial activity .... But now Mr. Gove is sending out a clear message that it’s bad, a form of punishment on a par with picking up litter or doing 100 lines."

Since retiring from elite running after the 1980 Olympics, Foster has been one of the driving forces behind the British running boom. He founded The Great North Run, which has become the largest road race in the U.K. and the second largest half marathon in the world. The 2013 edition, which featured a thrilling sprint finish between Kenenisa Bekele and Mo Farah, had more than 56,000 registrants. Foster is also credited with establishing the first organized British fun run, in Gateshead in 1977.

The Great North kids run had more than 5,000 entrants last year. In his criticism of Gove, Foster noted that making running a form of punishment is inconsistent with the government's efforts to encourage youth health and reduce childhood obesity. Foster is also an ambassador for the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, founded by the former British prime minister to encourage youth sport participation.

Scott DouglasScott is a veteran running, fitness, and health journalist who has held senior editorial positions at Runner’s World and Running Times.

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